Regional lab test charges ‘another stealth tax on farmers’, says ICSA
“The new RVL waste disposal charge arises from the Department no longer wanting to absorb the cost of animal disposal,” said Mr Kent. “I have serious concerns some farmers will now be disincentivised from bringing animals to regional veterinary labs, which could reduce the important animal health information service that the labs provide.”
The changes are intended to bring the existing labs charge in line with overall disposal costs at knackeries. Postmortem fees will now be subject to Vat at 23%. In the case of an adult cow, the Vat-inclusive lab charge for postmortem and disposal will be almost three times the existing cost, rising from €23.35 to €68.72.
